Curtain traverse track pole



Cami.

May 10, 1955 Filed Feb. 27, 1952 E. K. RADKE 2,707,994

CURTAIN TRAVERSE TRACK POLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ER/CH KARL RAD/(E E. K. RADKE CURTAIN TRAVERSE TRACK POLE May 10, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2'7, 1952 INVENTOR.

[IQ/(H KARL RAD/(E 831mm United States Patent O CURTAIN TRAVERSE TRACK POLE Erich Karl Radke, Haverford, Pa.

Application February 27, 1952, Serial No. 273,583

1 Claim. (Cl. 160-345) The present invention relates to curtain poles, and is concerned primarily with a curtain pole of the traverse track type.

For many years it has been the practice to suspend curtains from a solid curtain pole; such poles usually being of cylindrical shape. it was the practice to employ rings which were slidable along the pole, and to which the curtains were attached.

During recent years, these solid curtain poles have, in many instances, been replaced by tracks and associated mechanism for causing movement of the curtains. However, such known devices offer an appearance that is essentially different from that of a solid pole, and certainly not as attractive.

With the foregoing conditions in mind, the present invention has in view as its foremost objective, the provision of a cylindrical curtain pole which is solid and which is formed intermediate its ends with a channel that receives a track member and associated mechanism for operatively suspending curtains therefrom. This solid pole is adapted to be positioned either with the channel opening downwardly or inwardly, as occasion demands, and'thus offer a desired appearance effect.

Ordinarily, a curtain pole is employed to operatively support a pair of curtains which are either moved together or away from each other, as occasion demands. Another object of the invention is to provide, in a curtain pole of the character indicated, a track member which houses a cord and pulley ararngement for imparting this movement to the curtains.

More in detail, the invention has as an object, the provision of curtain traverse track pole mechanism of the character indicated, which includes a pair of main curtain carriers, each of which is adapted to have a curtain secured thereto adjacent to the free edge thereof, and

which carriers are connected to the operating cord. Additional carriers for the curtain are slidably mounted in the track and connected to the curtains.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention, such as arise in connection with carrying out the above noted ideas in a practical embodiment, will in part become apparent and in part be hereinafter stated, as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention therefore comprises a curtain traverse track pole which consists essentially of a solid pole formed with a channel receiving a track member and associated mechanism for operatively supporting a pair of curtains.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a view in front elevation illustrating a pair of curtains operatively supported by the traverse track pole of this invention.

Figure 2 is another view in front elevation on an enlarged scale with the pole broken away, certain parts being shown in broken lines, and the curtains removed.

When such solid poles were used,

a slightly modified form of carrier. I

Figure 7 is an enlarged detailed perspective of one end of the track member per se, and

Figure 8 is a similar perspective of the other end of the track member.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, a pole is therein illustrated, and referred to in its entirety by the reference character P. The pole P may be made from any appro priate material from which curtain poles are ordinarily made, such as wood. This pole P may also be of any cross-sectional shape desired, although the invention has particularly in mind the use of a cylindrical pole.

The length of the pole P will depend on the extent of the curtains which it is intended to support. Moreover,

the number of brackets which are used to support the pole P in operative position will depend on its length.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, there is a bracket B at each end of the pole P. If the pole is comparatively short, this pair of brackets will be sufficient to support it in operative position. However, if the pole is of greater length, one or more intermediate brackets such as shown at B1, may be employed.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 4 and 5. the construction of the brackets B and B1 will be described.

Each of the brackets B comprises a horizontal leg 10 having a foot 11 that engages the wall, window frame, or other structural elements to which the bracket is to be secured, and which is formed with an opening through which a screw fastener 12 passes. Formed integrally with the leg 10 and connected to the free end thereof is a curved seat member 13 which has an extent somewhat greater than a semi-circle, and which provides a seat or socket for receiving the pole P.

A screw member 14 having an operating member 15 on the free end thereof, passes through the seat member 13 and engages the pole P. Obviously, this screw 14 may be tightened to clamp the pole P into position in the seat member 13.

An inclined bracing leg 16 has a foot 17 at one end which engages the wall, and which is secured thereto by screw fastener member 18, and is connected at its upper end to the seat member 13 substantially at the bottom of the latter as indicated at 19.

The bracket B1 is a substantial duplicate of the brackets B with the exception that it is mounted in an inverted position. As shown in Figure 5 when the bracket B1 is used to support the pole P intermediate its ends, the horizontal leg 10 is at the bottom, the inclined brace 16 at the top, and the seat member 13 opens downwardly rather than upwardly.

Where the pole P engages the brackets B at its ends, the cylindrical formation is maintained. However, just inside these brackets B, the pole P is cut away to provide a fiat face 20, and this face 20 is in turn cut out to provide a channel 21. The track member T is permanently secured in this channel 21.

The track member T is of sheet metal, and is of generally oval formation having a top wall 22 that is formed with openings 23 through which pass screw fasteners 24, which secure the track member in position.

Opposite to the top wall 22, the track member T in- Patented May 10, 1955' cludes a pair'of bottom flanges 25, the edges of which are spaced apart to define a slot. at 26 in Figures 4 and 5. As illustrated in Figure 8, the track memberT at one-end, carries a pair of pulleys 27 which are operatively mounted on a horizontal axis. At the other end, the track member. T carries a pulley 28 which is mounted on a vertical axis. An operating cord 29 is provided with a pair of handles 30 at its free ends. This cord 29 first passes over one of the pulleys 27, then down through the track member T, and around the pulley 28. It is then returned back through the track member and around the other pulley 27. Thus, the cord 29 provides two plies within the track T. These plies are designated 29a and 2917. A pair of curtains are shown in Figure l, and designated C1 and C2. The curtain C2 is connected to the ply 29a of the operating cord, while the curtain C1 is connected to the ply 29b. Thus, when one end of the cord 29 is pulled, the curtains will be opened relative to one another, and when the other end is pulled, there will be imparted a relative closing movement.

Secured to each of the curtains C and C1, adjacent to its free edge, is a main carrier which is referred to in its entirety by the reference character M. These carriers M are substantially duplicates, and only one of them is herein described in detail as this is suflicient for the purpose of this specification.

As shown in Figure 3, the carriers M are made of sheet metal and comprise a main plate 31, which assumes a horizontal position immediately beneath the bottom flanges 25 of the track T.

Upstanding from this main plate 31 are two pairs of struts 32 with each pair carrying at its top, a curved tab 33. The struts 32 pass through the slot 26 in the track, and the edge portions of the tabs 33 overlie the flanges 25 to establish the assembled relation of the carrier with respect to the track.

At each end, the main plate 31 is formed with a downwardly inclined end flange 34, and at one side, carries the 'side flange 35. This side flange 35 is formed with a recess 36 which opens into the lower edge thereof, and extending into this recess is a finger 37. The main plate 31 is formed with a slot 38, at one side substantially over recess 36.

It will be noted that the ply 29a of the cord 29 passes down through the slot 38 and around the finger 37 of the recess 36, and then up through the slot 38. Thus, the carrier M is operatively connected to the ply 29a. The other carrier M for the curtain C1 is of a similar construction, and is connected in the same manner to the ply 29b.

' It will be noted that the flange 35 is formed with an extension 39 having an opening 40 at its free end. Flange 35 is also formed with another opening 41. The curtain C2 isconnected to these openings 40 and 41 in a wellknown manner, and it is notable that the extensions 39 provide for a partial overlap of the curtains at their meeting edges as indicated in Figure 1.

The remainder of the curtains are supported from the track T by a required number of auxiliary carriers, one of which is more clearly illustrated in Figure 4. Each of these auxiliary carriers comprises a top plate 42 carrying inwardly curved side flanges 43. These flanges the drawings and the description of the parts given, it may be briefly outlined as follows:

This slot is indicated The brackets B and B1 are first secured to the particular wall'structure which is to support the curtain pole. The pole P is then positioned so that it rests in the seat members of the brackets B, and is fitted within the seat member 13 of the bracket B1. The operating members 15 are now employed to tighten the screws 14, and securely clamp the pole P in position. The curtains C1 and C2 are then secured to the'main carriers M, and the auxiliary carriers are attached. This attachment may be made prior to the positioning of the pole P. Assuming the curtains to be in the closed position illustrated in Figure l, the operator will grasp the proper handle 30, and impart a pull to the cord 29 so that the ply 29a will be moved towardsthe. right hand end (speaking with reference to the showing of Figure 1), and the ply 2911 will be moved towards the left hand end. Thus, the curtains are opened. When it is desired to close them, the other handle 30 is availed of to move the cord 29 in the opposite direction.

Modificatior z A slightly modified form of the invention is illustrated in Figure 6. In this form, the channel 21 in the pole P and the slot 26 open inwardly rather than towards the bottom. That is, the channel 21 and the slot 26 are disposed at a distance of 90 degrees from the bottom position illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. In this form, a carrier of a slightly different construction is required. This carrier comprises a hanger 45 having an arm 46 passing through the slot 26 with a head plate 47 secured to the free end thereof. The marginal portions of the plate 47 overlie the flanges 25 to maintain the assembled relation.

In both forms of the invention the pole P may be finished or covered in any manner desired so that it will blend in with the finish of a particular room or premise where it is installed. Thus, it may take a natural wood finish; be covered with fabric; painted or stained; or otherwise covered to properly add to the decoration of a room.

While preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact mechanisms, constructions, and devices illustrated and described, because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a curtain traverse track pole including a track formed with a slot, a main carrier comprising a main body plate disposed exteriorly of said track, two pairs of struts extending upwardly from said body plate and through said slot, a head plate carried by each pair of struts within said track, a side flange depending from said main body plate, said body plate being formed with a slot adjacent to said'side flange with the side flange formed with a recess substantially beneath said slot in the plate, a tongue 7 extending into said recess adapted to have a cord which is passed through the slot in the body plate pass therearound to effect an anchorage between said cord and said carrier, a downwardly inclined flange at each end of said main body plate and an extension at one end of said side flange integrally joined thereto, said extension and said side flange being provided with means for attaching a curtain thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,581,806 Kirsch Apr. 20, 1926 1,662,928 Kirsch Mar. 20, 1928 1,845,949 Wittemann Feb. 16, 1932 1,942,712 Kirsch a Jan. 9, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS 524,842 Great Britain Aug. 15, 1940 

